First Pillar of Islam - Shahadah

2/4/2017, 5 Rejab 1438H

Declaration of Faith : Shahadah

"La ilaha illa Allah, Muhammad Rasulu Allah"
(There is no God but Allah, Muhammad is the messenger of Allah.)

'La' means No
'Ilah' means God
'Allah' means Allah

Shahadah is the declaration of faith. To be a Muslim, is to believe and accept the shahadah by believing that there is no God to be worship, except Allah and to follow the teaching of Prophet Muhammad. 

Shahadah is quater of Atheist's faith that 'There is no God...'. The Jews and Christians in Middle East and Malaysia believe in one God, named Allah. The name of the God in Arab and Malay Bible is Allah. Hence, shahadah is part of Jewish and Christians' faith that 'There is no God but Allah...'.

Hence, most religions (Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism) teach us to worship one God. What make us different is the difference in following example of the 'messenger'. For example: 

Jews - Prophet Moses (PBUH)

Christians - Prophet Jesus (PBUH)

Hindu - Monks

Muslim - Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)

Muslims believe in Prophet Muhammad as the final messenger of Allah, and we follow his teachings such as the way how he perform prayer and fasting. Though Muslim follow and believe in Prophet Muhammad, but we do not claim the divinity of him and Muslims do not worship Prophet Muhammad. Muslims only worship Allah as One God by performing prayer like the way how Prophet Muhammad performed the prayer. 

There is no prophet of Allah after Prophet Muhammad, but Qiyamah (world end). It is important for Allah to seal a prophet as final messenger of Allah. Otherwise anyone can claim himself as prophet to create a new religion, make money or oppress people.

Surat Al-'Aĥzāb (The Combined Forces), Chapter 33, Verse 40:

"Muhammad is not the father of [any] one of your men, but [he is] the Messenger of Allah and last of the prophets. And ever is Allah , of all things, Knowing." (Quran 33:40)

Surat Aş-Şaf (The Ranks), Chapter 61, Verse 6:

"And [mention] when Jesus, the son of Mary, said, "O children of Israel, indeed I am the messenger of Allah to you confirming what came before me of the Torah and bringing good tidings of a messenger to come after me, whose name is Ahmad." But when he came to them with clear evidences, they said, "This is obvious magic." (Quran 61:6)

There is no compulsion to be a Muslim. Islam only spread by heart (honesty and sincerity), not by sword. 

Surat Al-Baqarah (The Cow), Chapter 2, Verse 256:

"There shall be no compulsion in [acceptance of] the religion. The right course has become clear from the wrong. So whoever disbelieves in Taghut and believes in Allah has grasped the most trustworthy handhold with no break in it. And Allah is Hearing and Knowing." (Quran 2:256)